Welcome to our blog! We here at Karen Mom of Three's Craft blog are passionate about doll play. We love our dolls big and small and creating for them. Our passion is sharing what we know with those who love dolls or who have a doll lover in their lives. We are pleased to have you join us and we hope you share with a friend.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

I feel truly blessed when designers of doll clothing trust me with their patterns and allow me to not only test and try out their patterns but also let me give one away to my readers. Ghunsawn Marinda Etsy Shop owner and designer has kindly lowed me to do this with her Oodles pattern.

Friday, May 30, 2014

The other night one of my son's young friends called to ask if I could give her doll a make over. I was delighted! Her doll is an older Our Generation doll who has been very loved. I knew this hair make over needed the Heads Up Detangler from TwinPinesofMaine I use this product now daily on my dolls and love the results.

I used the detangler straight letting it soak into the dolls very dry split hair and I also used it in a spray bottle. I used the wire wig brush from American Girl, and started by combing the ends and working my way to the top. *When you have an OG doll or a Springfield Doll a wire wig brush is not the best idea, if you can get a plastic brush your dolls hair will be less likely to split. But this head needed the strength of the wire brush.
After her hair, I used the Formula 911 also from Twin Pines Of Maine, on her face, ears, arms and legs.

That helped remove the ink and surface dirt from her vinyl and it worked like a charm!
This doll originally had her hair up so I decided to style her hair and make a bow.

I then repeated the button pattern on the summer dress as embellishment. I was even able to deliver the doll back to her owner in time for a quick play before bed time. I was thrilled with how this make over turned out and honored to be asked to help with it.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

This past Saturday, I stopped at a yard sale for charity and found this very loved and old My Twin Doll. The seller wanted $5 for her and I quickly agreed! Even in the shape she was in I knew she was worth more then that $5 to a child who will love her.

Some people rescue dolls for money, some rescue to collect, I rescue to find the doll no one wants and turn her into a doll a child will love. I think my nieces will fight over this one.

Here she is before, her nose and forehead had dark scuff marks and her arms were grimy but her legs, protected by the tights she was wearing were in perfect condition.

To clean up a rescue doll you really need a few good tips and some great products. I use Heads Up Detangler from Twin Pines Of Maine,I put it in a spray bottle and use it on all my dolls hair and it was a "God Send" on this poor dolly's wig. For her body I used Formula 911 also from Twin Pines of Maine The 911 can be diluted which I do for surface cleaning but on stubborn stains I used it straight on the cloth and on the dolls vinyl. I was thrilled with how easily the marks came off with a cloth and straight Formula 911.

Her wig was a challenge for sure but with the detangler and starting from the bottom and working my way to the top of her wig I am thrilled with how her hair and wig turned out.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

While in the DC store Madelon found, photographed and shared with me the new Beach Dress and Hair Accessory offered as the Purchase with Purchase for $16 when you spend $50 or more in store at the American Girl Store.

Honestly this dress makes me want to buy this doll too! I love the way it looks on her and her hair is just too much cuteness! She looks like my niece Thea!

I see this photo and I want to yell, "just take my money already!" I love this doll too, in this outfit I am even more in love with her!

So girly and fun!

Check it out with the cute hair extension!

Look at it on this red headed beauty!
This Purchase with Purchase summer outfit has my thumbs up! I hope that The Canada stores will soon get Purchase with Purchase outfits like these! Thank you Madelon for these photos and for sharing them with us today!
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Madelon has been a Godsend to me over the years and this week while I have been dealing with family medical stuff Madelon has kept my in box full of wonderful Dolly news and ideas so this week is going to be very heavy on the Madelon input side! I am so excited to share new photos from the New Look at the American Girl store in DC.

Madelon says and I agree that she loves the sophisticated look of the new Cafe!

The mirror says "little bites. big delights"

This is my sisters and I enjoying lunch at the Seattle Store for my birthday a few years ago. It was so much fun. Great food and great service. Next time I want to go for their tea!

I love popping into the cafe and bistro at American Girl in Seattle and I would love to try out all the Bistro's and cafe's. I wish our Vancouver store had one but down stairs we do have a Starbucks so that is fantastic!
Please share with us your memories of the Cafe or Bistro in a comment, email or in photos, we would be happy to share your fond memories here!
Thank you Madelon for everything you do to help me write this fun blog and for all your wonderful ideas!
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Some of you know in the last few weeks I have spent a lot of time at the hospital for a family medical emergency, even staying over night with one of my sons. I have such respect for those nurses and doctors who make it their life's work to help others, So today I am sharing some of my Etsy favorites for Dolly Medical Outfits with you.
The first one shown above is from Quest 4 Craft Etsy Shop. This is a fun 5 piece set offered at $25, why I love it is the print is the perfect size for 18 inch dolls. To view it yourself in shop, click here

I have chosen this outfit to share next because this outfit on Kit looks just like my son's pediatrician!
this is a 2 piece outfit including jacket and pants and is offered at $19 from DeColoresDollFashion

Connies Play Place has a fun surgical set offered at $18.50 Click here for shop and listing. These are only some of the fun outfits for dolls you can find on Etsy. These are three of my favorites, I hope to hear from many of you about your favorites, feel free to post links to your favorites below.As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Thursday, May 22, 2014

If you have not heard already I just got the news that American Girl is discontinuing Ivy, Ruthie and Marie Grace and Cecile.
This saddens and frustrates me as a doll lover and consumer. I hate to see the bidding wars and the hurt feelings of young girls who love these dolls and can not afford to add them to their doll families. When the retirement news comes out, everyone rushes to purchase and put a away these dolls in hopes of making money off of parents who did not know or did not get them in time and I hope American Girl has enough to make it through the holiday season. What do you guys think? I also have mixed feelings about Samantha being reintroduced into the line. I would love to know what you think. Please share your comments and ideas below. Does this announcement make you want to run out and buy all 4 dolls?
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Come check out this amazing give away! I made an outfit for the give away (Look for Ivy in the drop waist floral tea dress) and there is so many wonderful items in this contest! Tell All Your Friends!!!

This giveaway was coordinated by Diana of Diana Rambles.
Find out more by Clicking Here
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

See what Brandy is up to at home!

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I am available as a guest speaker for conferences, church groups, girl guides, birthday parties, craft parties ,group organizations as well as doll related conventions. Please contact me for further details at karenmowen@gmail.com